Commander Rampy wants $750K of taxpayer money because the media wrote about him

What is it about certain former and current Maricopa County law enforcement officials that makes them think they're a privileged class, entitled to make bank from county coffers whenever their feelings get hurt?

But let's take the case of a slightly smaller fish -- at least when compared to such leviathans as Hendershott: MCSO Commander Bob Rampy, Sheriff Joe Arpaio's top IT guy.

According to the county, Rampy's hourly rate is $67.30, making his yearly salary $139,984. I'm sure he earns every penny. Still, that's a lot of dough to those of us not in the public sector.

Now Rampy wants $750,000 to make his crybaby claims against the county go away. His kvetches? In part, that the county responded to public records requests from the media related to Rampy's activities.

Rampy has filed a harassment claim, in addition to his notice of claim for three quarters of a million dollars. He's teed off that both the Arizona Republic and yours truly wrote about an incident last year where county lawyers accused him of spying on them.

In the letter, Pace and Selden, who were representing the county, asked if Rampy had been spying on Pace and another lawyer outside a county building where they'd been doing business. Rampy had been spotted eyeballing county employees as he sat in an unmarked SUV that had "radio and satellite equipment" on the roof.

The firm further claimed that, "Your letter was designed for no other purpose than to harass, intimidate and defame a material witness."

I linked to that letter in my post, and I pointed out that if the Pace-Selden allegations were true, they'd raise nary an eyebrow, considering the MCSO's dubious history in honoring the civil rights of others. I also recounted an infamous incident regarding Rampy from March of 2010, where he attempted to take possession of some contested MCSO e-mails in the county's possession.

Ironically, those e-mails, which were sought after by the plaintiffs in the federal racial-profiling case Melendres v. Arpaio, had already been sent to a third party out of state. Nevertheless, the confrontation was illustrative of the MCSO's heavy-handed, police state tactics.

Historically, the MCSO has had a chip on its shoulder regarding public records embarrassing to the department. Rampy, apparently, is no exception.

The basis of Rampy's $750K claim is that I and the Rep wrote about him because we got hold of the letters involved.

I don't know about the Rep, but I asked for the Rampy-related documents through a public records request to Gerchick. As she's required to do under state law, she complied with my request in a timely manner.

As is also part of her job, she gave me a quote for my piece. But according to an October memo from Rampy alleging harassment of him by county officials, it was all part of an effort to smear him.

Rampy writes,

"...the very next day [following the Wingett article], even after our attorneys provided a response, the Phoenix New Times published a very demeaning, disparaging and baseless article (this time with my name plastered throughout -- attached) with our attorney's response included in the article. The New Times could have only received this information from the County and most likely, Ms. Cari Gerchick Esq., who engaged in previous media attacks where sanctions were filed in court. The New Times release was done even after our counsel had provided an expedited response to the County counsel, so by all rights, Ms. Gerchick should have professionally stated "no comment," or simply provided our attorney's written response (with my name being redacted)."

Hate to break it to you, Bob, but you're a public employee, and you are highly paid for your services. You don't get to have your name "redacted" from public documents. That's what Gerchick gave me, public documents. If you don't like it, perhaps you should have remained in the private sector, instead of plunging head-first into the public trough.

The gall of this guy. His lawyer Kevin Harper's notice of claim letter isn't much better. In it, Harper goes into detail over all of the health problems Rampy's supposedly had as a result of being written about.

"In addition to the reputation damages suffered," writes Harper, "Commander Rampy has sustained emotional distress damages and adverse health effects from the stress of the accusations made against him. These adverse health effects, including anxiety, insomnia, and depression, have contributed to the difficulties faced by Commander Rampy following his recent diagnosis with advanced prostate cancer."

In my opinion, Rampy doesn't deserve dime one, and Gerchick is the one being slimed here. As stated, she's required by statute to respond to public records requests. As far as giving quotes, what good is a spokeswoman who refuses to talk to the media?

Indeed, using the twisted logic of Rampy and his counsel, perhaps Gerchick should now submit a notice of claim, alleging she's being "harassed" in turn and asking for a boat-load of money.

Gerchick, to her credit, is too classy for such a move. Rampy, on the other hand is a whole different sheaf of e-mails.

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From a lay perspective this filing appears to be much about nothing, honestly. A letter was sent asking questions, no accusations made or implied. Media reported on the letter and the response, which itself seemed intended to inflame the issue. However, I haven't seen anything documented that shows Mr. Rampy has actually suffered from any of these actions. As far as I know he still has the same job at the same pay and he hasn't been demoted or lost a possible promotion (maybe Chief Commander, or Commander Chief instead of merely Commander). Truth be known someone probably bought him an adult beverage over the whole thing.

I will guess that a member of the MCSO executive staff directed Mr. Rampy to initiate this action.

I had heard someplace that Rampy was 'limp', but I hadn't connected the dots until now. If he does indeed have advanced prostate cancer I would imagine having his name in a couple articles would be the least of his concerns.

As a retired law enforcement professional I find it rather humorous that Mr. Rampy is upset by his name being mentioned in a couple news articles. Especially since he's associated with MCSO. I would expect him to have more intestinal fortitude. But again, he is associated with MCSO... so there you have it. (Gosh, I hope I haven't offended him with my opinion of what a real cop might do)

Bacon in this country and county does what it pleases and all these damned cowboys back the good old boys.. I see no change thanks to Bill Clinton allowing large Corporations to own all media we will never understand that Don Bolles was truly the last great reporter in the state of Arizona. So try as you might Lemons all the other "Reporters" although I have no idea what recognizable work they have done (Hook, Lake, Dana, Cooney, Kirkpatrick, all these worthless clowns), yet those pretty faces tell us all everyday how great we are not it is a sad commentary really.

"...Commander Rampy has sustained emotional distress damages and adverse health effects from the stress of the accusations made against him. These adverse health effects, including anxiety, insomnia, and depression..."

And Henderschott, Aubuchon and Thomas all have very similar claims in theirs as well.

Let me understand this...these are law enforcement people that stand between citizens and the bad guys, ready to take a bullet, ready to fire back...tough as nails and they eat stress for breakfast, right? They don't face any challenges while they're on duty that could possibly cause any of the listed symptoms. They're willing to put their lives on the line for $75k (or $138k) without blinking an eye but list their name in a notice of claim and....

I heard from my Phoenix PD contacts that Rampy helped solve some major cop-related shootings and he is the real deal in law enforcement circles. Probably these County Board types have no clue about his expertise or care. Same with Lemons - He just bashes the Sheriff every chance he gets.

Commander Bob Rampy is pissed off and suing us because both the Arizona Republic and the New Times filed public-records requests and they were complied with?! Last I checked, I thought it was not only Arizona law but federal law to comply with requests within a reasonable timeframe.

Boy oh boy, it appears that Rampy needs to join the long list of people in line for straitjackets... His claim will be laughed out of ANY courtroom...

The County (David Smith and his minions...which includes Gerchick) are the ones that smeared Rampy maliciously in the press by having their lawyers generate a false letter with no other purpose than to intimidate him as a key witness. They knew that their case was shakey so they fired the Sheriff Attorneys and tried to defame the star witness. It is apparent from what I read here that the Supervisors’ attorneys sent a baseless letter to this Sheriff’s employee to intimidate him as a witness to County feud. The Supervisors and Gerchick have a demonstrated pattern of leaking information to friends in media (like Lemons and his girlfriend) before releasing it to public in order to spin news.

I grew up in Los Angeles and always found something to be entertained by, whether it was the hobo on Olympic Blvd., standing on the corner with his stuff hanging out his zipper, or the gangsters bustin caps in their homies' cars.

But Phoenix...

Shit, you can't beat this fucking city for the most childish whiny punk-ass little bitches running around, crying about something or other.Any wonder why the crime is so bad here ??? No question at all. If the little whores trying to play cops and robbers would actually stop worrying about stupid shit and do what they're paid to do then maybe the rank and file street cops who are trying to do their job could get it done.If I was a Maricopa County Sheriff's deputy, I sure as hell wouldn't admit to it.

Gary Gerchick classy? Lemons hitting the medical marijuana again. It's apparent that Lemons has a thing going on with Gerchick. Wasn't she fired from the AZ supreme court. Now we know who Lemon's snitch is.

oldcop, we're sick of the arrogant, abuse of power culture the sheriff has been allowed to perpetuate. until he's out the county and state continue to sink... all at taxpayers expense. the arrogant elected officials do not care about the people, just themselves.

I don't expect people to actually read and absorb the content of the claim posted in this one-sided diatribe, but it mentions that he received "Terrorism Liaison Officer of the Year" and it was awarded to him by the Phoenix Urban Area Initiative. Phoenix PD is part of that group and what I was told was that he identified the killer in the Officer Cortez shooting. Maybe he just doesn't like it when he is wrongfully accused illegal surveillance. I know if I was wrongfully accused of anything, I wouldn't sit idle and take it.

Which ones????? I'd be interested to hear what he's been doing other than Hindy's dirty work? Why would PPD need him? They've got everything MCSO has and more. When you say "helped" does that mean he held the dumb end of the tape measure? Your source must be the pres. of PLEA, who's far up the joker's butt.....

Sorry, but if I spotted Bob Rampy's spymobile outside of some office where I was having meetings, I'd be suspicious as well. The concerns of the Selden/Pace letter seem legit to me, especially considering the MCSO's past abuses. Anyone recall the MCSO vehicles outside of Terry Goddard's residence? Or the fact that the MCSO has a long history of targeting Arpaio's foes?

As for this laughable innuendo that Gerchick and I have some sort of relationship, I can't remember the last time I actually saw Gerchick in person. Plus, she is happily spoken for, and a consummate professional. So these smears from haters on the Arpaio side of the fence are incredibly lame as well as being untrue.

As a reporter at another news outlet here in Phoenix, I side with this reporter too. Doesn't matter if it's a good or bad story, Cari (Wswanson-- might wanna check your spelling there) is a real class act. Very professional and follows her job description to the letter. One of the best media reps here in the valley.

Wswanson, in 2 lines you managed to accuse someone of using illegal drugs, having an illicit relationship with another woman, and perpetuated a false rumor about that woman's profession. You obviously know a lot about "classy".

I know Cari (not Gary) Gerchik. I've known her for 14 years and think she's one of the classiest, most ethical lawyers around.

@Cancer-survivor: You are assuming the assertion he has made is factual. We don't know that, actually. At least I don't, and I have no reason to believe anyone associated with the command staff and some of the supervisory staff at MCSO. I, without knowing who you are, can say I am glad you survived cancer, and I would not wish cancer on anyone, including Mr. Rampy. But, that doesn't mean I believe him or his attorney when they say he has cancer...

My reservation in hell was confirmed long before you came along, but thanks for the referral anyway.

Time will tell if Mr. Rampy does indeed have cancer. As I said above, "If he does indeed have advanced prostate cancer I would imagine having his name in a couple articles would be the least of his concerns."

Just because Rampy is supposedly a law enforcement officer doesn't mean I believe his every word. Nor should you....

Not to worry Stephen...none of us haters on the Arpaio side of the fence ever believed for a second that you had a girlfriend, or any other real relationship with an actual girl, particularly one with all of her teeth.

Along with journalistic integrity, honesty, and clean shirts, it seems sarcasm isn't one of your strong suits, either

Her job description is to ‘spin’ media for the Board of Supervisors, David Smith and Wade (Mr. DUI) Swanson. To that end, you may be correct – she ‘earns’ her money. Funny how she takes ‘freedom of information’ to the extreme and sends ‘cooked-up’ information to the media. Sounds like they were ‘making’ propaganda again. Simply stated, she is a media whore. She is in ‘tight’ with Wingnut, Lemons and probably you and supplies propaganda unsolicited now that you’re drinking the kool-aid. Maybe you ought to ask your has-been lawyer friend about her bosses DUIs and why he never disclosed them. Betcha she won’t provide you that information even with your FOIA…or you probably don’t care since that doesn’t fit your media bosses agendas.